Why do you think the federal government offered the solution that it did?

What do the problem and the solution tell you about the attitude of the federal government towards black CCC workers?

What do the problem and the solution tell you about the attitude of the federal government towards racial discrimination?

When all the documents are taken together, what do they tell you about the New Deal government's attitude toward black CCC workers and racial discrimination in general?

In class: Discuss the four documents from your homework with your classmates as instructed by your teacher. During discussion, pay particular attention to the questions found below.

To what extent can the federal government as a whole be held responsible for the behavior and attitudes of locally hired government officials?

How should a federal policy be implemented when federal officials differ in their understanding of that policy?

Do you think that some blacks employed by the CCC preferred to work in segregated units?

Activity Three: A First Hand Account of African-American Life in the CCC

For homework: Print out and read the document below, "A Negro in the CCC," which is a "first hand" account of black life in a CCC camp published in the NAACP's Crisis magazine in 1935. As you read, highlight or underline evidence that suggests that this man's experience in the CCC was positive. Write a 'P' for positive in the margin next to every reference you think is positive. Also highlight or underline evidence that suggests that this man's experience in the CCC was negative. Write an 'N' for negative in the margin next to every reference you think is negative. After you finish going through the document and making notes as instructed, write a two or three paragraph explanation of why you think the writer "heartily recommends" work in the CCC and why you agree or disagree with his recommendation.